Is Your Body’s ‘Operating System’ Healthy? A 10-Second Test Can Tell

Think of your body’s integrated health as its “operating system.” A leading cardiologist suggests a simple, 10-second test can tell you if that system is running smoothly. The test is the one-legged stand, a powerful indicator of your overall health and longevity.
This analogy is backed by a robust 2022 study that followed 1,700 adults aged 50-75 for a decade. The study found a profound link between a person’s ability to balance—a key function of the body’s operating system—and their risk of dying from any cause.
The results were clear: those whose systems were healthy enough to allow a 10-second stand had a greater than 90% chance of survival over the next seven years. This makes static balance a vital sign that reflects the health of the entire system.
The heart specialist explains that this test is so revealing because balance integrates the nervous system (the processor), sensory inputs (the peripherals), and muscle response (the hardware). A “glitch” in the test could signal an underlying issue that needs a diagnostic.
If your system seems buggy, the cardiologist recommends a “reboot” through targeted exercise. She advises activities that build stability and body awareness, such as yoga and Tai Chi, to improve your performance on the test and, by extension, your long-term health outlook.